Chris August

http://www.myspace.com/chrisaugustmusic

While he may be considered a "new" artist, Fervent Records' newly signed singer-songwriter Chris August is anything but a rookie in the music industry. Chris August grew up around music, constantly listening and singing along with The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, Elvis, The Beatles and his favorite, Stevie Wonder. However, Chris August involvement with music as a child wasn't limited to the record player. His dad had put a home studio together that consisted of a few guitars, keyboard, drum machine and the standard 4track recorder. At age 15, Chris August started playing, writing and recording music; and most importantly, become a Christian.

While at church, Chris August gained a love for worship songs. As he learned to play more and more of them, Chris August was asked to help lead the music for the youth group. Over the years, he started adding pieces of recording gear to my collection. At age 22, Chris August was finally ready to release his first self-produced, recorded, mixed and mastered independent album.

It had been finished for about 7 months when Chris August's life took a dramatic turn. Singer/songwriter named Ryan Cabrera had gotten a hold of it and wanted to work with him. Within two weeks , Chris August signed a management deal with Joe Simpson, father of Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson, and a record contract with Geffen Records. Chris August moved to Los Angeles in January of 2005 to work on his first album with Geffen. While there, Chris August worked with such notables as Brian McKnight, Jessica Simpson, Ryan Cabrera and many more. In the fall of 2005, Ashlee Simpson asked Chris August to go on tour with her.

In January of 2008, after restructuring at Geffen Records, Chris AugustI ended up back in his hometown of Garland, TX. It had been 2 years since Chris August was involved with a church. He started playing keys at a nearby church called Lake Pointe Firewheel, getting involved with their ministries and leading their worship pretty frequently.

Chris August had been back in Dallas for a year when he realized how long it had been since he had written a Christian song. Chris August wanted to write a song that was a rededication of his music and life to Jesus. On January 18, 2009 Chris August wrote 'Starry Night.'

Chris August indie release of 'Starry Night' made its way to Nashville, TN, and in the hands of an A&R person at Word Records. After meeting with the staff and president, Chris August knew Word would be my new home so he would pack up and move to Nashville.

The following few months were spent writing about 60 songs in 3 months. After picking out his favorite 11, Chris August teamed up with producer Ed Cash to record the album. Cash challenged Chris August not only musically, but spiritually as well. With a couple days left before they were set to record the album, Ed told Chris August he still needed a personal song. Unaware of Chris August's family background, Cash asked him to go home that night and write about pain from growing up. Chris August wrote the first verse of "7x70" later that evening.

"After playing my idea for him the following morning, he looked over to me with tears in his eyes and said, "this song has to be on your record and it has to be about forgiveness." This was the last thing I wanted to hear and have to deal with while making my album, but nonetheless it was something that needed to happen. The following few days consisted of us being surrounded by the Holy Spirit like I've never felt before. This was, without a doubt, the most personal song I had ever taken on and it required a mind set on prayer. I come from a broken home. Better yet, a broken family. Parents screaming at each other. Frustrations were commonly taken out on my brother, my sister and myself. As the lyrics started to come to mind, so did all the memories of my past that I hadn't thought about in years. Some lines bringing smiles and some bringing another set of pains that I needed to forgive. It was through this song that I was able to forgive and be healed of that pain."